[WEC] 2016 WEC Discussion

[TzeiTzei]

Let's be honest, it wouldn't have made any difference to racing had the P1 privateers not been around for the last three years.

I'm a fan of privateers but it just doesn't make any sense to be there. Racing no one, getting no coverage.

[Deleted]

Yeah, because once you kill the privateers (or rather they evacuate as it seems by the rules and WEC force feed), it's so bloody great to have grand total of 8 possible LMP constructors in the world when discounting the Hybrids... all running spec engines... and partly spec tires... and mostly spec components. Great... snzzzzzzz...

Anyway

[TF110]

Peugeot and/or BMW would be more than enough to offset losing a private team. But imo, there will be takers in 2018.

[chernaudi]

The fact that the ACO are looking at making so many stop gap changes for '17 just a season prior to when everyone will pretty much need new cars to comply with changing technical regs is probably what's discouraging Rebellion, and it seems that they think they might be better off taking a wait and see approach and come back to LMP1 in 2018.

That's if they decide to do something else for 2017. IMSA might be their best choice, but even that might be tough for them to commit to for a season. In the LMS, they'll have to buy new tubs from Oreca, and get rid of or bench a couple of their gold or platinum drivers. In IMSA, they might be able to get a waiver/fudge though with the fact that the R-One and the Oreca 05/07 are clearly very closely related, but there's the difficulty with their bases in Switzerland and the UK and having to run across the Atlantic. That'd be taxing to do for the NAEC, let alone a full season unless they rent a shop in the US, which is how they ran some ALMS races in 2013.

[hondafan37]

The article of endurance-info is a bit more detailed than sportscar365
Bart Hayden showed special concern for the increasing performance in order or 3 to 4 seconds of the LMP2 in 2017, He knows that with the new aerodynamic regulations and weight reduction can be obtained some performance but this new aerodynamics package will require additional financial resources.
Another concern is the engine, JUDD and Gibson may be an option but it will also require additional funding.

The conclusion is:
* The aerodynamic modification and a new engine is much more expensive than a new LMP2 2017.
* They feel that the LMP2 will be much closer next year

http://www.endurance-info.com/fr/reb...ur-son-avenir/

[hondafan37]

Some Dunlop teams are testing in Monza
Aston Martin Racing, Rebelión Racing, Racing SMP, Greaves Motorsport and Bruno Junqueira and Roberto González with the Gibson 015S.
Also a Ferrari 488 Challenge, Doran DP Lexus and Maserati MC12 were there.
http://www.endurance-info.com/fr/plu...ent-a-monza-2/

[TF110]

Conway testing the TDS car at Magny Cours, and these guys showed up! https://facebook.com/story.php?story...9ni4znSOG&_rdr

[TheMightyM]

So per S365 this is happening in 2017:

The majority of the 2017 FIA World Endurance Championship is now known, following the announcement of a link-up with the new Formula V8 3.5 series, which will serve as its international support series beginning next year.

At least six of the nine Formula V8 3.5 events will take place alongside the WEC, including the rounds in Mexico, Japan, Bahrain, as well as the European races at Silverstone, Spa and Nürburgring.

It joins the previously confirmed 24 Hours of Le Mans for the WEC, which will not feature the open-wheel series.

Formula V8 3.5 organized by RPM Racing, was previously known as Formula Renault 3.5 prior to the withdrawal of the French manufacturer’s backing at the end of last year.

Note that COTA and Shanghai aren’t mentioned…

[Coach Ep]

It has been known for a while that the CotA agreement runs out after this year's race and it remains to be seen if it'll be extended, the dominant sentiment is it won't - and Indy might be it's replacement.

Don't know about Shanghai but I'd think there's too much money to be made for all involved (well, for those who decide anyway, i.e. FIA, ACO, Audi, Porsche and probably Ford, Ferrari and Toyota) to not continue in China and Shanghai seems to be the most suited place for their needs over there.

The link up with a bigger single seater series is a good one, provided they have decent entry numbers. That's exactly where this - now without Renault backing - series seem to struggle a bit, 15 cars at most sure isn't a lot, especially not on most of the longer, WEC standard parking lot track.

[Coach Ep]

And here we go again....:

http://www.racer.com/latest-stories/...e-fe-wec-clash

This one is on the FIA - o wait, nothing new there!

[chernaudi]

Also, what do you think of the full course yellow (VSC) vs local yellow (slow zone) deal? We all know that Audi got shafted big time by the FCY at Nurburgring and probably lost any real shot at the win as a result, as well as AMR having the same problem during the race in GTE-Pro. Motorsport Total has run a couple of stories about this today.

So should the ACO be using slow zones more during sprint races (they do have the SZ areas clearly marked, so why not use them if you don't need a FCY, and if necessary to make things more fair, put whole T&S sectors of the track under a slow zone), or close the pits for the first lap or two for FCYs and limit stops happening until the pits are open to urgent service so teams can't get free pit stops?

[TzeiTzei]

Having a single seater class as part of the race weekend seems like a good idea.

[Artur]

@chernaudi, I already said this a couple ot times. What they need to do, imho, is close the pit exit for as long as the VSC remains. This way, no team will leapfrog coming from a distant 4th to leading by a confortable margin.

Great that F V8 3.5 is racing together with WEC. That series is much better than GP2, F1 and etc..... The WEC weekend will gett even more attractive for people that likes natural racing

[TheMightyM]

Thinking about this some more, it’s interesting that Silverstone is getting a Formula V8 3.5 event as the ELMS effectively was acting as the undercard there. Do the ELMS and WEC continue to share a weekend next year, or will the ELMS schedule change for 2017?

[ederss7]

I want to see a three way battle between Audi, Toyota and Porsche. Someone has always to be off the pace. Toyota at Silverstone and Nurburgring and Audi at Spa and Le Mans.

[Coach Ep]

Originally Posted by chernaudi

Also, what do you think of the full course yellow (VSC) vs local yellow (slow zone) deal? We all know that Audi got shafted big time by the FCY at Nurburgring and probably lost any real shot at the win as a result, as well as AMR having the same problem during the race in GTE-Pro. Motorsport Total has run a couple of stories about this today.

So should the ACO be using slow zones more during sprint races (they do have the SZ areas clearly marked, so why not use them if you don't need a FCY, and if necessary to make things more fair, put whole T&S sectors of the track under a slow zone), or close the pits for the first lap or two for FCYs and limit stops happening until the pits are open to urgent service so teams can't get free pit stops?

This is really a non discussion, FCY, Slow zones et all were all created because of the same issue: drivers not slowing down for local yellows (regardless if they're standing/waved/double/multiple stations in a row), drivers need to take a hard look in the mirror in the first place - all the 'neutralization options' over the years were put in place to negate this misbehavior from racing drivers.

The debris FCYs were classic examples of 'race inflicting incidents' that could have been dealt with under local yellows if the right circumstances were created (i.e. drivers slowing down significantly for yellow flags). Unfortunately, over the years, race officials have been very lame (on average) towards yellow flag infringements and therefor have been a major part of the issues.

Fix the problem - not the symptoms!

To answer your question: make local yellows the norm again, lay out the consequences for the offenders and start penalizing infringement immediately. There's not a lot to it but as always people come up with all sorts of excuses to avoid solving the issue.

Edit: article + comments on racer.com: http://www.racer.com/wec-le-mans/ite...ette-vsc-rules

[MaskedRacer]

In Midweek motorsport, Hindy and Graham think that the future of factory participation is going to be in GTE Pro, not LMP1. Makes sense. It ain't cheap but it still does not match the costs of LMP1 plus you are running road based cars that people identify with.

[chernaudi]

IMO, the only way to fix this is to either use the slow zones (even if whole timing and scoring sectors have to placed under yellow), or close the pits for at least the first laps under FCY and limit service under those times to emergencies only.

Or you can make it so that everyone more or less has to pit at the same time, but that's playing the BOP card and another can of worms all together. And yes, I do feel that the system has been overused in the sprint races to deal with small accidents. But then again, this whole mess wouldn't have happened if F1 drivers would respond the way that they're supposed to under local yellows.

[Deleted]

Originally Posted by TheMightyM

So per S365 this is happening in 2017:

Shame, would've been kinda interesting to see FR3.5 at Le Mans as Sat morning support race next to Road to Le Mans, something different. And yes they are specmobiles too but different sort of specmobiles. It would've also guaranteed Eurosport TV deal for the race.

Of course even better would be just to get the Legends race back but you know...

Originally Posted by TheMightyM

Thinking about this some more, it’s interesting that Silverstone is getting a Formula V8 3.5 event as the ELMS effectively was acting as the undercard there. Do the ELMS and WEC continue to share a weekend next year, or will the ELMS schedule change for 2017?

Meh probably just replaces the axed Euro F3 slot that used to exist before this year

[Deleted]

So are they finally gonna kill COTA for good in 2017? You know seeing as IMSA's Texas date has been moved to spring where it collides with Spa.

[wolfhound]

Originally Posted by Chiana

So are they finally gonna kill COTA for good in 2017? You know seeing as IMSA's Texas date has been moved to spring where it collides with Spa.

Has Bernie E started to organize IMSA as well for date clashes with the WEC?

[Artur]

Originally Posted by Chiana

So are they finally gonna kill COTA for good in 2017? You know seeing as IMSA's Texas date has been moved to spring where it collides with Spa.

Honestly, would you bother to watch the 6h of Road America, Road Atlanta, Laguna Seca..... in case one of them were to replace COTA?

[Deleted]

Yes

[Akrapovic]

Originally Posted by Artur

Honestly, would you bother to watch the 6h of Road America, Road Atlanta, Laguna Seca..... in case one of them were to replace COTA?

That's not even a question.

[broadrun96]

Originally Posted by Artur

Honestly, would you bother to watch the 6h of Road America, Road Atlanta, Laguna Seca..... in case one of them were to replace COTA?

Do the FIA track rules allow LMP1s on Grade 2 tracks, except of LM like Monaco for F1, or is it just F1 who's limited to Grade 1? Honestly asking as I wasn't sure if it was a series preference or part of the rules.

As much as I would love a WEC round at Road Atlanta, IMSA ownership excluded, there's no way the track can accommodate what it seems the teams want in its current state. No garages to speak of so race garage haulers would have to be shipped and they aren't fitting in the already tight air crates. Laguna Seca has a lot of restrictions that could cost them another event to accommodate the WEC. Sounds like Road America would be the winner outside of COTA for a WEC event over any other US track. Do they have the garages, etc that the WEC seems to require or at least prefer?